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MESSAGE 



OV HIS KXCELLENCY 



WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM, 



GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT, 



TO THE 



LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE, 



MAY SESSION, 1862. 



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I^EW HA YEN : 
BABCOCK & SIZER, STATE PRINTERS. 



1862. 



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MESSAGE 



OP HIS EXCELLENCY 



WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM, 



GOVERNOR OF COMECTIOUT, 



TO THE 



LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE, 



MAY SESSION, 1862. 



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NEW HAYEN : 
BABCOCK & SIZER, STATE PRINTERS., 

1862. 



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V 



^; MESSAGE. 



Me. President, Mk. Speaker, and 

Gentlemen of the General Assembly : 

"We are privileged to live at a period of thought, and energy, 
and progress, when principles which lie at the foundation of 
organized society and national government are being reviewed 
and discussed by earnest champions, for the purpose of securing 
a new adjustment of civil rights. The struggle for supremacy 
is between the light which beams from intelligent and disin- 
terested benevolence, and the darkness which surrounds igno- 
rant and depraved selfishness, between order and anarchy, be- 
tween the antagonisms of labor, and between the extremes of 
class. The contest is at our own firesides, between our own 
citizens, in the presence of an interested universal civilization, 
and is to test the strength of our institutions, and the stability 
of our National Government. 

At a time when such issues are pending, the Legislature of 
a sovereign State occupies a position of high importance and 
grave responsibility. Your record will form one important 
link in that chain of grand events which connects our national 
existence of to-day with its past and its future ; and your dis- 
cussions will countenance and encourage the enemies of our 
republic now in rebellion against its authority, or aid in the 
triumph of constitutional liberty and the restoration of the 
power and integrity of the Union. 

Called by the voice of the people to meet these responsibili- 
ties, we may, in humble dependence upon Divine influences, 
enter upon our labors with hope and courage, and discharge 
our duties with fidelity to our constituents, our country, and 
our God. 

Of the many questions of public interest which will require 
your attention, there will be none more important than those 
which relate to the finances of the State, to our army of volun- 



teers, and our militia system, as a means of public safety, and 
to our duties to the General Government, during the rebellion. 

The balance in the Treasury, April 1, 1861, was . . $ 42,290.50 
There has been received for State Bonds, during the 

year, 2,000,000.00 

For taxes from towns, 249,176.01 

From other sources, including premiums on Bonds,. . 155,2'79.83 

Total amount, $2,446,"^46.34 

There has been expended for military purposes, 1,866,097.52 

For other purposes, 282,159.40—2,148,256.92 

Leaving in the Treasury a balance of $298,489.42 

The present indebtedness of the State is — 

For Bonds issued, $2,000,000.00 

For 3 months' interest, 30,000.00 

Making a total indebedness of $2,030,000.00 

The expenditures for the present year cannot be accu- 
rately given, but they may be estimated as follows : 

For the ordinary expenses, $226,900.00 

For interest on Bonds, 120,000.00 

For payment to 10,342 Volunteers, $30 each 310,260.00 

For payment to 2,932 families of Volunteers, in the 

aggregate, 301,224.00 

For ordnance, arms and accoutrements, which will be 
required for the State Militia, in addition to such as 
are in the Arsenal, belonging to the United States, 175,000.00—1,133,384.00 



3,163,384.00 



The charges against the General Government, March 

1, 1862, were 1,516,565.74 

On which a paynaent of $600,000 has been made by 
a certificate of indebtedness from the U. S. Treas- 
urer, bearing interest. From the charges thus made 
may be deducted the value of arms and accoutre- 
ments, which may be retained for the State Militia, 
$150,000.00, and State tax due the United States 
Government, June 30, $261,981.90, 411,981.90 

$1,104,583.84 

Add receipts from the usual sources of revenue with- 
out taxes from towns, estimated at 134,500.00 

Interest on certificate of indebtedness from the Uni- 
ted States, 36,000.00 

Cash on hand, 298,489.42—1,573,573.26 

Estimated deficiency, $1,589,810.74 



It will probably be necessary to raise the sum mentioned 
above, which can be done either by taxation or a loan, or by 
both. This unusual condition of our finances arises principally 
from the liberal appropriations which have been made for the 
support of our volunteers, and for their families, rendered 
necessary by the war. For means of suppressing this rebellion, 
you are aware that the Government is endeavoring to adopt a 
new and, with us, an untried system of revenue, based upon 
the productive industry of the country, and one which will 
make still larger demands upon our pecuniary resources. But 
we have abundant ability to meet these claims. A very small 
part of the profits of our industry will be sufficient to supply 
the public treasury with ample means to prosecute the war, 
and furnish a good foundation for public credit. The people 
are wisely preparing for this demand, which many cheerfully 
anticipate and even earnestly desire. Sound policy dictates 
that you should avail yourselves of this self-sacrificing patriot- 
ism by making liberal provision to meet our exisiting obliga- 
tions. 

The School Fund, which has been of such value in opening 
free schools to every child in the State, originated from a sale 
of public lands lying in what is now the northeast part of Ohio. 
The sale was made in 1795 for the sum of one million two hun- 
dred thousand dollars. By the fidelity with which the present 
Commissioner and his predecessors have performed their duties, 
and husbanded the fund, it has produced an aggregate income 
of over five million three hundred and twenty-five thousand 
dollars, which has been used for educational purposes in the 
several school societies, and laid the foundation of that system 
of public education which has been the just pride and glory 
of our State. The fund now amounts to two million and fifty 
thousand four hundred and sixty dollars and forty-nine cents, 
or nearly double the original capital. The income for the past 
year has been one hundred and thirty-one thousand and eighty- 
four dollars and thirteen cents, from which there has been 
made a dividend of one dollar and twenty cents to aid in the 
education of each of the one hundred and nine thousand and 
forty-two children, between the ages of four and sixteen years, 
in the State. 



6 

It is gratifying to know that amidst the trouhles and excite- 
ments of the year, and the embarrassments which have at- 
tended nearly every pursuit, Common School Education has 
not suffered with the general depression. The schools have 
been prosperous, a larger attendance has been secured since the 
commencement of the war, a greater number of school houses 
are reported in good condition, the consolidation of districts 
and more perfect classification of scholars, in large towns, is 
advancing, and the sum raised for the support of public schools 
in districts and towns, by voluntary taxation, has more than 
doubled during the year. The State !N"ormal School appears to 
have infused a lively interest in the work of teaching into the 
minds of its pupils, the most of whom have been successfully 
employed in this State, and have performed their labors with 
credit to themselves and the Institution. 

The general cause of popular education has apparently ad- 
vanced since the establishment of the Normal School and the 
present system of school superintendence. The Normal School 
has been so long and successfully in operation that we may re- 
gard it as an essential part, if not the centre of that system 
which places an education within the reach of every child, and 
may, with propriety, recognize it as one of our permanent in- 
stitutions worthy of an annual appropriation for its suj)port. 

There are one hundred and forty-eight juvenile offenders 
in the State Reform School. The crimes and misdemeanors 
for which they were committed are graded from vagrancy up 
to forgery and arson. 

The Board of Trustees, as well as the benevolent and sym- 
pathizing Superintendent and his assistants, are laboring for the 
intellectual and moral improvement of the inmates, and are 
satisfied that the Institution is on a better basis than at any for- 
mer period of its history, and that the benefits which were an- 
ticipated by the early and steadfast friends of the Institution 
will soon be realized. 

The diminished demand for labor has reduced the receipts 
of the State Prison to within a fraction of the expenditures. 
The institution appears to have been economically managed 
and faithfully conducted, not only with reference to the in- 



terests of the public, but to the necessities of its one hundred 
and eighty inmates. 

On the twenty-seventh day of March last, Daniel "Webster, an 
able and faithful public officer, while in the performance of 
his duties as warden of the State Prison, was murderously as- 
saulted by a convict, and died the following day from the 
wounds which he then received. Porter Kellogg, a prisoner, 
saw the assault, immediately rushed to the rescue, wrested the 
knife from the murderer, and thereby, j)robably, saved the 
warden from instant death. Lucius Rice, another prisoner, 
went to the place of danger as soon as he knew of the assault, 
evidently for the purpose of protecting the Warden, but before 
he could render much service the murderer had been over- 
powered. Such efforts for the maintenance of good discipline 
in the prision are worthy of special notice, and may furnish a 
good ground upon which you can, with safety to the public, 
shorten the terra for Avhich these convicts were sentenced. 

Of the three hundred and ninety-seven patients admitted to 
the Petreat for the Insane, during the past year, one hundred 
and eighty-eight received pecuniary aid from the State to the 
amount of nine thousand four hundred and thirty-four dollars 
and thirty cents. 

Seventy-one State beneficiaries have been discharged, thirty 
of whom were cured, twenty-two improved, twelve not im- 
proved, and seven dead. 

Of the one hundred and seventeen cases, remaining on the 
thirty-first day of March, a majority are of long standing. 
Broken in body and mind, unqualified to care for themselves 
or benefit others, they have found a refuge and a home in the 
Petreat. 

The benefits which flow from the State appropriation are not 
limited by the walls of the institution. In many instances, in- 
sanity has visited families, without pecuniary resources but of 
refinement and high moral worth, who by the most rigid econ- 
omy and self-dejiying labors, have been barely able to sustain 
themselves, day by day, and, but for the timely aid rendered 
in the hour of increased necessity, from these funds, would 
suffer privations which would be a reproach to our people. 



8 

The benevolent public still favor the Institution by liberal 
contributions, which, under the supervision of the Board of 
Directors and the able and devoted Superintendent, are ex- 
pended in improving the buildings, beautifying the grounds 
and increasing the means of restoring the minds of the inmates 
to sound and healthful action. 

One hundred patients from thirty-three different towns in 
the State, have been supported, in whole or in part, at the 
Connecticut Hospital Society, by the State appropriation, six 
of whom have died, eighty-three been discharged, and eleven 
remain. One hundred and eleven have been, in part, sup- 
ported by the State, at the Hartford Hospital, sixty-four of 
whom have been discharged, thirteen have died, and thirty- 
four remained on the first of March. 

Both of these Institutions have been invaluable to our vol- 
unteers, by furnishing them with the comforts of a home while 
sick, and rendering such necessary care and medical aid as 
could have been secured in no other way. 

There are eleven beneficiaries of the State, at the School for 
Imbeciles, under the charge of Doct. H. M. Knight, at Lake- 
ville, seven in the Perkins Institute and Massachusetts Asy- 
lum for the Blind, and forty in the American Asylum for the 
Deaf and Dumb. 

The Institutions of humanity and education require our con- 
stant and favorable consideration. We should not be in- 
fluenced by parsimony, neither should the heavy burdens of 
Avar be permitted to incline us to withhold such support as is 
essential to their usefulness. They are the fruits and evi- 
dences of an enlightened philanthropy — the barometer by 
which we can judge whether our country is advancing in the 
sunlight of intelligence, civilization and Christianity, or 
whether it is to be darkened and desolated by the storm of 
ignorance, depravity and selfishness. 

The general depression of business of the country has had 
its influences upon our Railroads, and their receipts in conse- 
quence have been reduced seventen per cent, the past year. 

The New London and New Haven Railroad having been 
unable to meet its obligations as they matured, has passed 



9 

from tlie management of the Directors, into the hands of the 
Trustees ; and is now operated for the benefit of the iirst mort- 
gage Bond holders, in accordance with the provisions of the 
Act of 1858. 

The roads are reported in good condition, and the fact that 
during the past eight years over twenty-three millions of per- 
sons have been conveyed over them, with the loss of the 
life of only one passenger while riding in his seat, is evidence 
that they have been operated by their agents, and guarded by 
the public, with reference to the general safety. 

The Bank Commissioners report the seventy-five Banks of 
discount and deposit in an improved condition from last year. 
They took a large portion of the last State loan of one million 
two hundred thousand dollars, and are rendering the usual fa- 
cilities to the business interests of the State. They have an 
aggregate capital of twenty-one million, seven hundred and 
ninety thousand, nine hundred and thirty -seven dollars. 

Deposits amounting to six million, seventy-nine thousand, 
two hundred and three dollars and fifty-nine cents, a circula- 
tion of eight million and twenty-three thousand, six hundred 
and eighty- one dollars, and one million, five hundred and 
eighteen thousand, three hundred and sixteen dollars and sixty- 
two cents, in specie. Their circulation has increased seventeen 
per cent., their deposits twenty per cent., and their specie fifty 
per cent., since the last annual report. 

The deposits in Savings Banks amount to nineteen million, 
nine hundred and eighty-tliree thousand, nine hundred and 
fifty-nine dollars and forty-four cents, being an increase of six 
hundred and six thousand, two hundred and eighty-nine dol- 
lars and twenty-six cents, during the year. The deposits in the 
Building Associations amount to one million, six hundred and 
ninety-six thousand, seven hundred and sixty-seven dollars and 
seventy-two cents. 

The occurrences of the past year are in themselves incontest- 
able arguments to prove the necessity of devising a system for 
protecting the rights of our citizens against foreign or domestic 
intervention. Such means of protection can be secured in no 
way so surely and economically, as by a legally organized sys- 
tem of militia. 



10 

I will state briefly a few principles, upon which, in mj judg- 
ment, such a S3'stem should he founded, refer to a few provis- 
ions and deficiencies in our present law, and would respectfully 
request you to make such amendments and additions to it as 
our position and circumstances appear to demand. 

The Government is established for the benefit and safety of 
our citizens. In an imperfect state of society this end can be 
attained only by concentrating and controlling so much of the 
physical power of the State as may be necessary to protect the 
person, the property, and the liberty of each individual. The 
citizen, being a part of the State, is under obligations to per- 
form a part of that service, or furnish a portion of that power 
which is required by the State for the protection of every other 
citizen. This obligation to protect on the one hand, and render 
service on the other, is mutual between the Government and 
the governed, and furnishes the necessity for a military sys- 
tem. 

A law, therefore, for the organization of such a sj^stem 
should not merely invite but secure the requisite service. 
It may not be framed in accordance with the wishes of the in- 
dividual, but like every other law should be in conformity 
with the aggregate views and just requirements of a majority 
of the people. The citizen may regard the performance of 
military duty as a burden, like taxation, but the Government 
must, for self-preservation, see that the burden is borne. 

The demands of the law should be addressed to physical 
ability, "Wealth and poverty are not the only standards by 
which we can judge of the capacity of the State to defend her 
citizens. The one class should not be exonerated by a nominal 
pecuniary penalty, nor the other burdened with heavy expen- 
ditures by the requirements of law. The parts of the system 
should be so complete and harmonious that the whole force, 
or any portion thereof, could rapidly be put into requisition. 

I would further suggest as important, if not essential, a di- 
vision of militia into two classes, according to age, the younger 
of which should be required to perform active service, and be 
first tendered to the General Government, on requisition by 
the President. And also, that the State be divided into mili- 



11 

tary districts, according to population, and a Board of officers 
be appointed to examine the qualifications of all nominees for 
regimental and line officers, before they be commissioned. 

The act relating to the militia on our Statute books differs in 
some respectsfromthe principles suggested. It requires not only 
the enrollment of all persons liable to perform military duty, 
but the organization of an active force, to consist of not less 
than forty nor more than sixty-four companies, liable, at all 
times, to be called into the service of the State, and in case of 
war or insurrection, to be turned over into the service of the 
United States, in compliance with any requisition made by the 
President. It provides that if volunteers do not offer in 
sufficient numbers to fill the active militia, the deficiency may 
be supplied by drafting. 

On the 14:th of January last, only thirteen companies, em- 
bracing but six hundred and nineteen men, from an enroll- 
ment of fifty-four thousand three hundred and forty, had vol- 
unteered to form a part of the active militia. To complete the 
organization contemplated, the Commander-in-Chief issued an 
order to the Selectmen of the several towns which had not fur- 
nished their quota to designate by lot from the inactive militia 
one person to every eighty inhabitants, and make return of the 
enrollment to the Adjutant General. 

Many who were thus designated as a part of the active mi- 
litia, paid ten dollars, as provided in the 12th section of the 
law, and their names were not enrolled. 

Although it was manifest that the public Treasury might be 
largely benefited in this manner, yet it was equally manifest 
that the mode of taxation was unequal, and that proper sub- 
jects for military duty could defeat the contemplated organi- 
zation. 

New drafts became necessary to supply the deficiency, and 
new vacancies occurred by the payment of fines, until it be- 
came evident that some towns would not furnish their quota 
without re-drafting those who claimed to be exonerated from 
service through compliance with the alternate provisions of 
the act. As these results were neither desired nor anticipated 
by the fraraers of the law, and as other provisions of the act 



12 

appeared to require amendments before the burdens could be 
equitably distributed, and as hopes were encouraged that the 
active militia would be increased by other volunteers, further 
action, under the order for drafting, was suspended. 

I trust you will direct the Selectmen to refund to the parties 
who paid the fines, the money now held under a strict compli- 
ance with the order. 

You will judge as to the limit of expenditure in the purchase 
of arms and equipments for the State militia. 

It appears to me important that we should have enough to 
supply at least ten thousand infantry, and a proportionate force 
of artillery and cavalry. Anticipating your action on this 
subject, I have already given the Quarter-Master-General or- 
ders to purchase ordnance and equipments to complete five 
batteries of artillery, each to be composed of four 6-pound can- 
non and two 12-pound howitzers, and one battery of four 12- 
pound cannon and two 24-pound howitzers, all to be of the 
quality and standard last adopted by the War Department. 

The heavy battery will be well adapted to aid in coast de- 
fense, and should be located with reference to that object. 

A act to provide for the organization and equipment of a 
Yoluuteer Militia, and to provide for the public defense, ap- 
proved May 8, 1861, together with acts in addition thereunto, 
approved June 27, 1S61, and Oct. 16, 1861, authorized the 
Executive to accept the services of an unlimited number of 
volunteers, and cause them to be enlisted and mustered into 
the service of the State for the purpose of being turned over 
to the service of the United States, and conferred ample power 
to organize, ofiicer, and equip them, in such a manner as he 
should order and direct. 

Under this act thei-e had beea organized, mustered, and turned over to the 
service of the United States, on the 15th day of April, thirteen Eegi- 

ments of Infantry, embracing in officers and men, 12,904 

One Battalion and one squadron of Cavalry, 518 

One Battery of Light Artillery, 156 



Making a total of 13,578 



13 

Three Regiments of Infantay, which were organized for three months, 

have been mustered out of service, numbering * 2,340 

There have been reported as dead, 191 

Resigned, 31 

Discharged, 228 

2,790 

Leaving now in the service, 10,788 

More intelligent, patriotic, and self-sacrificing men, never 
entered the military service of any government. They have 
patiently suffered privations without murmuring, and submit- 
ted to the discipline of the camp in preparation for the severer 
but more welcome duties of the battlefield. Strengthened by 
high moral determination, they have manifested gallantry, in- 
trepidity, and courage sufficient to show that they counted not 
their lives dear unto themselves if, by their sacrifice, they 
might re-establish the blessings of constitutional liberty. 
Their record will make a brilliant page in the history of our 
Commonwealth. 

While organizing the several Regiments, I was often assured 
that young men of pure patriotism and high moral character 
were unwilling to enlist until the company officers were des- 
ignated, as their comfort and efficiency depended very much 
upon the character of those in command. For the purpose of 
removing this obstacle to enlistments, I appointed and com- 
missioned, in October and l^ovember, a number of Second 
Lieutenants, with special authority to recruit, and issued an or- 
der confining the choice of the two higher officers in any com- 
pany which might be organized by the consolidation of squads 
thus recruited, to those Lieutenants. Contrary to my antici- 
pations volunteering very rapidly declined, until I returned to 
the former system, and commissioned those who presented 
themselves as officers of companies which they had been the 
principal instruments in recruiting, and those who were nomi- 
nated by the companies. Exceptions to this general rule were 
made in cases wdiere a Board of Examiners appointed by the 
Commander-in-Chief reported against the candidates, and 
where other satisfactory evidence of disqualification was 
presented. 



14: 

Two companies of cavalry have, without expense to the 
State, been organized in the usual manner, and the officers 
commissioned b}^ this Department. They united with and 
form a part of the Harris Light Cavalry, a regiment recog- 
nized by the "War Department as belonging to ]^ew York. 
Several vacancies have occurred in their offices, which have 
been filled by men from other States, but they have not been 
commissioned by me, I fear these appointments and commis- 
sions from other authorities may go so far that the companies 
can no longer be recognized as organizations of Connecticut, 
in which event the men may not be able to secure the payment 
allowed our volunteers. I have called the attention of the 
Colonel to the subject, but have not been advised of any 
change in the course hitherto pursued. 

The arms and equipments for the two Companies of Cavalry 
already referred to, the arms for the Ninth and Twelfth Itegi- 
ments of Infantry, four thousand eight hundred and fifty-six 
stands of arms for other Infantry, and most of the appointments 
for the Twelfth Regiment, were furnished by the General Gov- 
ernment. All other expenditures incident to arming, equip- 
ping, and furnishing the volunteers, including horses for the 
Artillery and the Battalion of Cavalry, and the charge for the 
transportation of three Regiments to Washington, have been 
met from the State Treasury. 

The account of the State against the General Government, 
made up the first of March, 1862, contained charges for 



Equipage, ^ 202,01'7.98 

Clothing 586,266.94 

Transportation, 66,910.59 

Fuel, straw, and forage, 1 5,959.36 

Incidentals, 25,826.07 

Ordnance and ordnance stores, 348,946. 70 

Subsistence, 61,904.33 

Medical Department, 2,'751.81 

Pay Department 191,585.31 

Interest 41,363.83 

Total, f 1,543,532.92 

From which deduct charges for equipments sold to Ohio, and re- 
ceipts for property sold, amounting to 26,967.18 

Leaving a balance of $1,516,565.74 



15 

due at that time from the government. The account with the 
vouchers has heen presented to the United States Treasury De- 
partment, but has not yet been audited. 

With the exception of extra compensation allowed by the 
State to her volunteers and their families, the account is in- 
tended to embrace all expenses incurred for arms, clothing, and 
all appointments, together with the wages, paid from the 
time the troops entered the service of the State to the time 
they were mustered into the service of the United States, and 
an advance of about two months' pay to the Battalion of 
Cavalry. 

The property thus charged and not distributed is held as 
belonging to the Government of the United States, and subject 
to the order of the War Department. There are, however, five 
thousand one hundred and thirty-one rifles and muskets, as 
well as accoutrements, in the hands of the Quarter-Master- 
General, which, I trust, may be retained for the use of the State 
Militia, by accounting for them in settling with the General 
Government. 

The Paymaster-General visited a number of Regiments 
while on the Potomac, and made the first and second payments 
due them from the State. The expenses necessary to meet 
these payments, the hazards incident to the transmission of 
funds, the difficulty of gaining access to Regiments, scattered 
in the southern part of the country, together with the fact tha 
the amount paid by the General Government would meet all 
ordinary necessities of the troops, induced the Commander-in- 
Chief to order the Paymaster-General to suspend his visits for 
the above named object, and to prescribe a form of draft on 
that officer, by which the amount due the volunteer might, 
without risk, be transmitted to his family, or to any person at 
his discretion. Irregularity and delay in forwarding the 
monthly Regimental returns to the Adjutant-General, which 
contain the evidence of service for which the soldier is entitled 
to pay, often postpones the payment of these orders, occasions 
disappointment to the holder, and increased labor to the Pay- 
master, 

Eliot Beardsley of Winsted, and Charles C. Johnson of Kor- 



16 

wicli, having been appointed by the President Allotment 
Commissioners for this State, have entered upon their unpaid 
labors, and are rendering valuable aid to many families of vol- 
unteers by securing to them a part of the pay due from the 
United States. 

The act to which I have referred autliorizes the Governor to 
organize and officer the volunteers, in such a manner as he 
shall direct. 

Under this provision, and with the conviction that an officer 
possessing proper qualifications, holding a position above the 
Colonels of the several regiments, could render important ser- 
vice to the State, the rank of Brigadier-General was offered to 
Daniel Tyler of Norwich, a gentleman of large military ac- 
quirements, and practically conversant with the details of army 
appointments. The office was declined, except upon the con- 
dition dictated by him, that any duties to which he might be 
assigned should be performed without remuneration for service 
rendered or expenses incurred. He was untiring in his devo- 
tion to the public interests, and rendered efficient and valuable 
services in organizing and equipping the volunteers, as well as 
in making up the accounts of the State against the General 
Government, from the 19th of November until about the mid- 
dle of March, when he was called by the Secretary of War to 
fill the more important position of Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers, in active service. Such an example of self-deny- 
ing patriotism contrasts, most pointedly and favorably, with 
occasional instances of self-advancement at the expense of the 
necessities of the Government. 

John H. Almy, residing temporarily in the city of ISTew 
York, has been appointed Assistant Quarter-Master-General, 
and has devoted much time and rendered highly important 
service to the State, by securing from the Government 
payment to disabled volunteers while detained in that city, and 
by aiding in the transportation of troops, and adding to their 
comfort, whether on their way to the seat of war or returning 
sick and wounded to their friends. He has received only the 
amount expended by him in the performance of his duties, his 
patriotism having led him to decline compensation for servi- 
ces rendered. 



I -svonld refer you to the able and interesting report of the 
Adjutant-General, which exhibits in detail the organization of 
the several volunteer corps, the officers and number of men 
in each, the resignations and promotions, the number killed 
and wounded in battle, and the number of privates and officers 
from each town and city in the State. It will also be seen that 
there are ten thousand three hundred and forty-two privates 
and non-commissioned officers, and two thousand nine hundred 
and thirty-two families entitled to pay from the State. 

The report presents the number of active and enrolled mili- 
tia and valuable suggestions respectiug a more perfect militia 
system. 

John M. Hathaway was appointed Quarter- Master-General 
June 4, 1857, and continued in office until his resignation, Au- 
gust 31, 1861. Jonathan B. Bunce was commissioned as his 
successor, but resigned his post on the 16th day of January, 
when the vacancy was filled by the appointment of William A. 
Aiken. His report very clearly presents the present condition 
of his Department, with an inventory of property on hand pur- 
chased for the volunteers in the service of the United States, as 
well as an inventory of arms, equipments, and other military 
appointments, owned by the State, and specifies the places 
where they are deposited. 

William O. Irish, Paymaster-General, resigned his position 
on the 18th day of January, 1862, and his place was filled by 
the appointment of William Fitch. 

Your attention is called to the law providing compensation 
for this officer, which, in case of death or resignation, is liable 
to more than one construction. 

Some idea of the increased labor and responsibility of this 
Department may be formed from the fact, that it is subject to 
over thirty thousand orders per annum, from the present num- 
ber of volunteers now in the service. That the duties of the 
officers in the other military departments have increased as 
largely, may be a reason why the law regulating their com- 
pensation should also be reviewed. 

It is my duty to acknowledge, in this public manner, the re- 
ceipt of a steel cannon, a gift from the Hon. Henry S. Sanford, 



18 

Minister of the United States to Belgium, which, for the cali- 
bre, is unequaled in lightness and durability, by any ordnance, 
prized not only for its excellence of workmanship, its supe- 
rior finish and intrinsic value, but as an offering of a loyal son 
of Connecticut, tendered as. a substitute for personal services, 
while detained abroad, in the performance of official duties. 

On the twenty-seventh day of November I sent notice, by 
mail, to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 
that the General Assembly of this State had resolved to 
assume and pay her quota of the direct tax, laid by Congress, 
on or before the time required by the statute. 

A communication was soon received from that officer, evi- 
dently written before the receipt of my letter, inquiring wheth- 
er the State of Connecticut would assume and pay such tax, 
and also whether, in case of any change in the law, by which 
a different and perhaps larger amount should be apportioned 
to the State, the authorities would probably pay it. 

On the fourth day of December I sent that officer a certi- 
fied copy of the resolution, passed by the General Assembly 
at its special session, by which our Senators and Eepresenta- 
tives in Congress were instructed to use their efforts to pro- 
cure the repeal of that part of the act of Congress relating to 
a tax on incomes, approved August 5th, 1861, confirmed the 
notice previously given of the intention of this State to assume 
and pay her own quota of the direct tax already imposed by 
Congress, and stated that we would assume and pay our quota 
of any specific tax which Congress might impose upon the 
several States, and also that " Connecticut has adopted a sys- 
tem of taxation in accordance with the views, usages and 
business interests of her citizens, a system altogether better for 
her people than any which may be adopted by the General 
Government, and she will ever prefer meeting her pecuniary 
obligations to the Government through her own officers rather 
than through assessors and collectors appointed by Federal 
authorities." 

The arrest of Mason and Slidell, bearers of dispatches from 
the rebel confederacy, to foreign powers, by the captain of an 
armed United States ship, while they were on board an English 



19 

vessel, led the British Government to assume a threatening 
attitude towards this nation, and make a demand for the imme- 
diate and unconditional surrender of the prisoners. 

The event excited among our citizens some interest for the 
defense of the southern part of our State, to which my atten- 
tion was specially called by the authorities of the city of I^ew 
Haven. 

As the duty of providing defenses against a common enemy 
devolves upon the National Government, I brought the sub- 
ject to the notice of the Secretary of War, and at an interview 
with that officer, represented the exposure of our territory, 
lying nearly one hundred miles on Long Island Sound, to for- 
eign invasion, and the evident necessity of some action by the 
Government. Assurance was given that the whole subject of 
national coast defense had been committed to a Board of com- 
petent Engineers, with instructions to examine and rej)ort some 
plan or system for protecting the entire line, and that in that 
plan the interests of Connecticut would be properly regarded. 
The subject is now before Congress, and, through the influence 
of our Senators and Kepresentatives, will undoubtedly receive 
due attention. 

That such a pressing demand as has been stated, connected 
with extensive warlike preparations at home, and the gather- 
ing of a large naval force upon our shores, unaccompanied by 
any indication that an amicable adjustment of questions at 
issue might be secured, or was even desired, should have been 
made by an enlightened, powerful and magnanimous nation, 
at a period in which all our energies were required to grapple 
successfully with a most formidable and extended internal re- 
bellion, upon the suppression of which depended not only the 
very existence of our National Government, but the highest 
interest of civilization and human liberty, overwhelms us with 
grief and indignant astonishment. 

We shall learn a valuable lesson from the occurrence, if we 
rely less upon professions of amity and philanthropy, and 
adopt a more rigid policy to protect our own labor and stimu- 
late our own skill and genius, so as to develop our resources 
to the full production of whatever will make us independent 



20 

of the clamor of foreign commerce, and fearless of the men- 
aces of foreign power. 

Our National Constitution was founded upon the divine 
right of man to self-government, and adopted by the people 
under a solemn pledge of submission and obedience to the 
will of the majoritj. 

A denial of this principle, a violation of these pledges by 
the minority, and the claim that the superior and more intelli- 
gent class has a right, based upon the importance of a more 
perfect development of our social condition, to the control and 
service of the inferior class, are the causes of the present re- 
bellion against our National Government. 

It originates, not in a deprivation of constitutional rights, 
not in well-founded complaints and grievances which can be 
properly redressed, but in the arrogant claims of an oligarchy 
to dictate in the administration of the Government. 

A refusal to yield to such imperious demands, is the ground 
ujDon which the rebels justify their renunciation of allegiance 
to Federal authority. 

The people, acting as a court of appeals, have passed sen- 
tence of condemnation upon every rebel. A determination to 
execute the judgment leads the convict to cry out against coer- 
cion, while disloyal citizens stimulate his powers of resistance, 
and prolong his struggle by tendering him their sympathies 
and dilating upon the horrors of civil war. 

Who shall be sustained, the criminal or the court ? "Which 
shall be successful, the rebellion or the Government ? 

These questions are no longer open to the ordinary modes of 
adjustment, for reason has given place to passion, the forms of 
law to anarchy, and both the rebel and the loyalist, appealing 
to high Heaven, leave the questions at issue to the arbitrament 
of the sword. 

While the sword may not determine the constitutionality or 
morality of questions at issue, it may establish the conditions 
upon which the Government shall hereafter exist, and the 
principles upon which it shall be administered. 

The war may determine whether the Government, which 
shall continue in being after this revolution, shall recognize 



21 

slavery as a divine institution, nonrisli and foster the system 
as though it were sacred, and give its supporters increased 
and undue influence and power; or whether it shall continue 
to rest upon the principles of liberty as embodied in the Decla- 
ration of Independence, and protect the rights of the citizen 
by the enforcement of constitutional law. 

The sword may determine whether this ISTational Union, 
which Washington declared was of immense value to our col- 
lective and individual happiness, and which he urged us to 
think and speak of as the palladium of our political safety and 
prosperity, shall be preserved in its integrity, or whether it 
shall be dismembered by rebellion. 

Physical force may not be able to force loyalty into the 
hearts of insurgents, nor inspire them with love for the Union ; 
but it can restrain outbursts of violence, which endanger and 
destroy the liberties of a people, and command respect even 
from rebels, for a government which exercises its power to 
maintain its own supremacy. 

For these reasons we should, to the force of these right arms, 
add that moral power which is drawn from the deep convic- 
tion that our cause rests upon the same pillars of justice and 
equity which uphold the government of Jehovah. 

Tlie decision will not be one of blind chance, but will be 
directed by God to accomplish His purposes, which, we trust, 
will be the advancement and more perfect development of 
such principles of government as are essential to the well-be- 
ing of our race. 

, If it is true that empires lie between a battle lost and a bat- 
tle won, it is equally true that, in the great distance between 
anarchy on the one hand, and a Constitutional Government on 
the other, lie the interests of civil liberty, humanity and 
Christianity. 

Whether these interests, so vital to our race, shall be secured, 
and the blessings which they bring shall increase, year by 
year, as they have thus far, under the conservative influences 
of our Government, until the whole world shall feel their ele- 
vating, life-giving power ; or whether treason shall roll the 
cause of civil liberty back to the barbarism, despotism and in- 



22 

fidelity of past ages, depends, under God, in a great measure, 
upon tlie vigor with which we fight this battle for freedom. 

The rebellion derives significance from its development at 
this period of our history. If in the spring-time of our ITational 
existence, the seeds of popular liberty had not germinated, or, 
if the tender blade had early withered and died, another form 
of government might have been substituted, and neither we, 
nor the world, had known the loss. 

But we have nourished and cherished the Federal Union 
for nearly a century, and held up our prosperity, power and 
free institutions, as the genuine fruits of popular government, 
until the oppressed, under every form of tyranny, have looked 
with hope towards this nation, and have cherished great anti- 
cipations of a rich harvest of liberty, from our labors and our 
example. 

The magnitude of interests involved, and the period in our 
history in which they are submitted to the dread arbitrament 
of war, are considerations which press the issue upon the im- 
mediate attention of the American people, with an importance 
which duty to God and to man requires us to meet, whatever 
the cost, whatever the hazard. 

In the execution of the high responsibilities committed to 
our charge, we need not be careful to take counsel of our ene- 
mies, or be guided by their opinions. 

If plighted faith restrains us from interfering with slavery, 
we are under no obligations to strengthen and uphold that in- 
stitution. 

Slavery has forced us into a civil war ; but insists that we 
have no right to use the war power against her interests. 

Slavery has repudiated her obligations to the Constitution ; 
and yet claims protection by virtue of its provisions. 

Let us not be deceived by such fallacy. The Constitution 
was adopted for the mutual interest of the citizen, on the one 
part, and the public on the other. He who refuses to obey its 
requirements, must not expect its benefits. Slavery, by deny- 
ing her obligations to the Constitution, has opened the door for 
the operation of principles of righteousness and justice, which 
dictated that instrument, and if in pressing those principles to 



23 

tlieir legitimate results, slavery sliall be undermined and per- 
ish, let us rejoice that the life of the suicide is of no import- 
ance, to enlarged and universal liberty. 

The voice of Connecticut may well be uttered at such a 
crisis as this. Think not that it is feeble ; — its strength de- 
pends upon the sentiments spoken. Resolutions for the pur- 
pose of laying down party platforms, or affecting party inter- 
ests, may be of no practical advantage to the public, but reso- 
lutions which embody sound principles of liberty, may, like 
all truth, be often reiterated with benefit. 

The Government rests upon the popular will, and timely 
and truthful manifestations of that will, upon questions of 
national policy and duty, may cheer the Administration, up- 
hold the arm of the President and his constitutional advisers, 
give direction to congressional legislation, send a thrill of joy 
through the hearts of our patriotic volunteers, and materially 
aid in re-establishing the peace and liberties of the people. 

To press this contest to a final settlement, more prolonged 
and vigorous efforts may be required, and more costly sacri- 
fices demanded. 

Other years of anxiety, and labor, and pecuniary embarrass- 
ment may intervene. The burdens of taxation may still be 
heavier. The battles of Roanoke Island, Donelsou and Pitts- 
burg Landing, may be again fought on the mountains of Vir- 
ginia and in the valleys of the Mississippi. Blood, which has 
ever been the price of liberty, may yet flow more copiously, 
on new fields of strife and carnage. 

The lives of other sons, even the life of Benjamin, may be 
required on the altar of our common country. 

These penalties so severe, these sacrifices so heart-rending — 
the results of this unholy rebellion against constitutional liber- 
ty — are monuments established by the providence of God, as 
a warning to all coming generations against a repetition of 
the damning crime. 

But by such efforts and such sacrifices the sword, under Di- 
vine guidance, will render a just decision, and return to its 
scabbard. 

The Union, as a central, controlling idea, will have a strong- 



24 

er hold upon the affections of the popular heart. Democracy, 
now scoffed at and despised by the aristocracy in every Land, 
will be the leaven to infuse its vitalizing influence through 
the race, and subvert the foundations of monarchy and des- 
potism. Emancipation, so successfully commenced at the 
Capital, may, by the co-operation of the State and National 
Governments, be constitutionally and peacefully extended. 

Institutions inconsistent with and antagonistic to liberty, 
will be weakened and left to their own destiny. 

The nation which in one short year has created a na^y, — 
completely revolutionizing the laws of marine warfare, — and 
organized, furnished and equipped an army of 680,000 
volunteers ; who, with their blood, are now baptizing and re- 
consecrating the land to liberty, has a recuperative power and 
a vital energy, which will carry it through the fiery ordeal 
strengthened and purified. 

The people, aroused by this rebellion, will rescue the nation 
from a destruction, threatened before it has reached the meri- 
dian of its glory; and, in clearly and fully demonstrating the 
problem of self-government, will reinstate national authority 
over every captured fortress, establish its supremacy over 
every revolted State, and cause the Republic to rise in great- 
ness, dignity and grandeur, until she shall command the re- 
spect and fear of nations now envious of her prosperity and 
jealous of her power. 

WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM. 

New Haven, May Tth, 1862. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




013 709 068 5 • 



6AYL0RD BROS. 

MAKERS 

SYRACUSE, - N.Y. 

PAT. JAN. 21, laoa 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




